Heirs of the Second Dawn Book 1: The Light Under the Shadow Wing by Amanda Bouchet

 

Heirs of the Second Dawn Book 1

DANGER, DESIRE, AND KINGDOMS ON THE BRINK OF WAR.

Enter a world of secrets, betrayal, and high-stakes action in this sizzling, slow burn romantasy from USA Today bestselling author Amanda Bouchet.

A woman searching for answers.

Idallia has been serving in the Dragon King’s Elite Wing of dragon shifters for nearly two hundred years. She doesn’t have fire or flight of her own, but she’s a phoenix rider with enough speed and skill to make her enemies think twice about tangling with her or her warbirds.

Centuries of life without knowing who or what you are is complicated enough without harboring a growing secret attraction, but the more time Idallia spends with Bale Cinderheart, the harder it is to stay away from the fiercely protective Dragon King. Dominant, intense…and the one man with the power to ruin everything.

A king safeguarding his treasures.

Bale has centuries of ruling under his scales and more responsibilities than he has fangs. His greatest triumph is his Elite Wing and their warbirds, but his biggest fear is losing them. Especially Idallia. She’s his forbidden desire and the one person he can’t seem to let go of—even for his own good.

While the man in him guards his heart as relentlessly as the dragon in him guards his kingdom, he's also the keeper of the answers Idallia has been seeking her whole life. Revealing the truth now could cost him everything—his home, his crown, his heart…

The threat of war looms as magic fades from the world of Ellonrift. Will the Dragon King preserve the fragile peace between the kingdoms? Or burn it all down, for her…

“Romantasy readers will love the mix of secrets, secret longings, and dragon shifters in The Light Under the Shadow Wing.”—New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Estep

The Heirs of the Second Dawn are interconnected standalone fantasy romance novels with no cliffhangers.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242359514-the-light-under-the-shadow-wing

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Idallia has been part of the Dragon King’s Elite Wing for two centuries. She may not be a dragon shifter like the others, but it doesn’t make her weak. Especially when she flies alongside them on the phoenixes the Dragon King himself made. Her three phoenixes are hers. Her family. The ones she loves above all else. But despite having them she still can’t help but wonder who or what she is. She knows she is different, they all do, but none seem to have the answers she seeks. And with her feelings for Bale, the Dragon King, becoming stronger and him looking back at her, well things are about to change. Bale has kept his secrets and his feelings secret for a very long time. He has the answers Idallia seeks, but know that so much can change the moment the truth is revealed. And he wants to be selfish for a bit longer. But war is coming from them at their borders. The factions of kingdoms are divided and the time for secrets may be over sooner than he is ready for. What an interesting new world this author has brought us! I really loved this chosen family. The Elite Wing is made up of dragon shifters, including the king himself, along with phoenixes that have the ability to speak mind to mind to those around them. It was fun to see them have personalities rather than simple just magical creatures. The slowburn between Bale and Idallia was intense with so much on the line. You were just waiting for the moment things would finally happen between them with the fear of it all blowing up as well with the secrets. This was a fun start to a new world and I’m happy that it’s a one book per couple situation. So we’ll get a new couple in the next book and see a new part of this world we’ll get to explore. 

The Boys of Elmwood U Book 1: Extra Credit by Hayden Hall

 

The Boys of Elmwood U Book 1

Look, I’m not stupid. I’m just really, really bad at Statistics.

Bad enough that Coach is threatening to bench me if I don’t pull my grades up. Bad enough that Professor Colby assigned me a tutor from the Thinkers’ House: a nerd who actually enjoys calculating standard deviations.

Enter Bennet Marlowe: certified genius, overpowered paladin in shiny armor, and the most annoyingly attractive guy I’ve ever failed to impress. He’s all sharp edges and sharper wit, hiding behind oversized sweaters and reading glasses that have no business making me lose focus during study sessions. He’s also completely off-limits. It’s hard to learn anything when all I can think about is whether he’d let me kiss him if I got the answer right.

And yet, I keep finding excuses to see him. Crashing his D&D night. Convincing him to see a movie with me when my date bails. Walking him home and standing too close on his doorstep. Kissing him clumsily near said doorstep.

And somewhere between pivot tables and probability, I’m starting to think maybe I’m not just bad at Statistics. I’m catastrophically bad at keeping my hands to myself.

I’ve got one semester to pass this class and keep my scholarship. Falling for my tutor is definitely not the kind of extra credit I signed up for.

Extra Credit is a gay college romance pairing a hopeless nerd with a cocky jock. If you ever needed a book that felt like a cozy hug, this is the one. It’s the first novel in The Boys of Elmwood U series, but it’s complete with low-angst vibes, spicy lessons, and a happily ever after.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/246778111-extra-credit

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Jason may be a jock, but he isn’t dumb. Statistics is just a lot harder than he hoped. And every time he thinks he gets it, his test scores prove otherwise. So before he can get kicked off the team, his Coach gets him a tutor. He just never expects the feelings his starts to develop the more time he spends with Bennet. Bennet is so different from anyone he hangs around with. Yes, Bennet is nerdy, but he is also this genius, so serious, and has a sharp wit that Jason loves to bring out. And Jason finds himself craving to hang out with Bennet outside of their study sessions. But the question is, does Bennet feel the same? Bennet can’t deny that Jason is good looking and he ends up taking Bennet by surprise at every turn. He’s nothing like he expected…in a good way. But can Bennet trust Jason to truly want to be with him? Letting someone in may be the hardest thing he does. I actually really loved getting to know Bennet and Jason. These two are so different but also alike in many ways. They challenged one another and constantly kept the other on their toes. It was really sweet to watch these two fall hard for one another and be surprised by it. Great story and can’t wait to see what comes next!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before the Graphic Novel By Jenny Han

 

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is now a major motion picture on Netflix and the inspiration for the spin-off series XO, Kitty—now streaming on Netflix!

In this sparkling graphic novel adaptation of the Time Best YA Book of All Time selection and New York Times bestselling first book in the beloved series, Lara Jean’s love life gets complicated.

What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them…all at once?

Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed and, suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

Experience Lara Jean’s story all over again in an all-new graphic novel format!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242985749-to-all-the-boys-i-ve-loved-before-the-graphic-novel

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

I remember reading this book and series for the first time and loving it. Then when the movies followed and those were great too! Now we get it in a graphic novel and it was so fun revisiting the story in a different way. The illustrations were great and the story condensed in that form still did a wonderful job of telling the story without missing too many details. For those who aren’t familiar with the story, it follows Lara Jean. A junior in high school who copes with his crushes by writing them love letters. Meant for her eyes only and a way to get over her crush, especially when she knows nothing will come of it. But when one of her crushes comes to her with a letter in hand, she realizes the worst has happened. The letters are out. And while she may get lucky with some return to senders and or no responses, unfortunately for her one letter went to her sister’s ex boyfriend, Josh, and another to the first boy who kissed her, Peter. While trying to reassure Josh she doesn’t have feelings anymore (though she sort of does), she ends up entering a fake relationship with Peter because he needs to make his own ex jealous. Little did they know that in doing so, they may just fall for one another instead. It’s a fun story all around and like I said, it was also neat to see it turned into a graphic novel. If you are a fan of the series, definitely check this out!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Matchmaking in Granville Book 1: Meddling with Maverick by DJ Jamison

 

Matchmaking in Granville Book 1

Meddling with Maverick is my favorite pastime...

When pranking my neighbor backfires and he lets the Matchmaking Mamas set him up, it's my duty to keep an eye on his dates. 

If I sabtoage them in the process, that's just coincidence, right?

But when I call Maverick's bluff that I could be a better date, I find myself in the matchmaking hot seat. 

I've been straight all my life, but the prospect of a real date, real kisses, maybe even real love with a man doesn't scare me.

It's easier to meddle with Maverick with an invite to his bed.

In fact, maybe I'll just meddle with him for life.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/246209485-meddling-with-maverick

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

The prank war between Maverick and Damon has been going on for a while now. When these two neighbors get off on the wrong foot, it escalates more and more each day as they drive one another crazy. But could be there be a little spark between them underneath it all? Though they may both deny it at first, it isn’t until Damon’s prank on Maverick to deal with the matchmaking Mamas backfires on him. And suddenly watching his neighbor go out on dates… well, that hits a very strong jealous chord in him. Especially when he knows none of those guys are good enough for Maverick. These two were so much fun! I loved their enemies to lovers vibe. Their prank wars were really funny but when it came down to realizing that their feelings for one another was the opposite of hate, it just made it so much sweeter to see come to the realization and finally act on it. And of course, you gotta love the matchmaking Mamas. Interfering and taking all the credit! A really fun story and I can’t wait for the next one!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hockey Guys Book 4: My Kind of Guy by Sarina Bowen

 

Hockey Guys Book 4

He’s a backup goalie with a broken game. The only thing he needs more than a win is the hot, grumpy bartender who pours his weekly beer.

Becker James is having a spectacularly bad season. Once a top draft pick, he’s now riding the bench in the minors, one failed save away from being cut. The highlight of his week? A lonely hour on a barstool at Sportsballs, Denver’s queerest watering hole—and Forest, the bartender with flannel sleeves, a gruff voice, and a beard that stars in Beck’s dreams.

Opportunity strikes when Forest’s LGBTQ hockey team—the Stickhandlers—loses their goalie last-minute. Beck makes Forest an he’ll help them beat the most hated team in the beer league, but he wants something in return—one night together.

Cue the record scratch, because Seth Forrester doesn’t do hookups. After his last one went horribly wrong, he swore off men for good. He’s definitely not falling for the awkward hottie who just stammered through an indecent proposal.

But Beck is prepared to press his case, no matter how awkward it gets. And one beer league game turns into something messier, sweeter, and so much harder to walk away from…

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/247745943-my-kind-of-guy

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Beck’s hockey season isn’t going so great. He’s in a bit of a slump and for a goalie, that is something he just can’t afford to be going through. Especially when his goal is to be moved up to play for the NHL rather than the minors. Trying to get out of his head leads him to his frequent his favorite bar where he can sit and try to work up the courage to ask out his crush. The bartender and one of the owners. And when he learns that Forest plays in a hockey beer league and his team needs a goalie, he decides to take his shot. Helping Forest out and maybe getting to finally hook up with his dream guy. But it doesn’t exactly work out in his favor when he throws the idea out there. Little does he know that Forest is in his untrusting phase. Being burned the year before scarred him in more ways than one. And he is still recovering in several ways. He may be attracted to Beck, but getting over his baggage? Not easy. And even when he gives into the chemistry between them, he still has some walls up. And he needs to figure out if he can truly bring them down or risk losing Beck and the really great future they could have together if he can just get out of his own way. Loved this story! Loved Beck especially because I love our weird hockey goalies. I dare you to find a goalie centric story and not love said goalie. They have the best quirks and our just utterly themselves with zero shame. With Beck, you just want to hug him and protect him and shake Forest a few times because how can he resist everything that is Beck! Though of course, you can’t help but sympathize with Forest after what he has been through. I really loved these two and watching them fall hard for one another despite some resistance not to! They truly were perfect for one another. Especially as they helped one another overcome their fears and obstacles. Another great book in this series! I hope to see more and I can’t wait to see who could be next!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Icebreaker by AL Graziadei

 

A. L. Graziadei's Icebreaker is a YA debut about two hockey players fighting to be the best—and the romance that catches them by surprise along the way.

Seventeen-year-old Mickey James III is a college freshman, a brother to five sisters, and a hockey legacy. With a father and a grandfather who have gone down in NHL history, Mickey is almost guaranteed the league's top draft spot. 

The only person standing in his way is Jaysen Caulfield, a contender for the #1 spot and Mickey's infuriating (and infuriatingly attractive) teammate. When rivalry turns to something more, Mickey will have to decide what he really wants, and what he's willing to risk for it.

This is a story about falling in love, finding your team (on and off the ice), and choosing your own path.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56978042-icebreaker

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Mickey is just about to start his freshman year of college and he could not be under more pressure. The youngest to five older sisters all accomplished in their own ways. The son of an Olympic champ and an NHL legend. Grandson to another NHL legend. All eyes are on Mickey to be the top draft spot in the league. Except, he isn’t the only one who has high hopes for that draft spot. Jaysen Caulfield has always been his competition and his rival on the ice. Now they have to play on the same team together. While the outside world may see Mickey has hockey royalty and someone who doesn’t bother to get to know his teammates, it’s really just a mask. Mickey has anxiety and depression. It comes in waves and he is sure that no one sees it. He didn’t grow up with his family, instead he was left behind to get better in hockey. He gets his highs and lows and it’s just really tough for him to stay afloat and care about anything. Including hockey. But he loves his sisters and his best friend. And when him and Jaysen start to actually get to know one another off the ice, well, that complicates things too. How can he fall for his rival? This book was so good. I loved Mickey’s journey. It was rough and real and it was so much more satisfying as he started to slowly overcome things bit by bit. Realizing he needed help and letting himself have something he chose for once. A truly really great story all around!

Promises, Promises Book 4: Promised Chance by Rye Cox

 

Promises, Promises Book 4

Why start something when there’s an expiration date looming over our heads?

I knew from the start that our paths in life were just meant to be a brief connection with a set ending. Atlas was heartbroken by his bastard of an ex, and I was there to comfort him in his time of need.

He might think he’s in love now, but he’ll wake up one day and realize he’s too good for someone like me.

An ex-con.

Town outcast.

The person nobody really kept.

My ex-wife left, and it’s only a matter of time before he does too.

But Atlas is persistent. He asks for a chance. A chance to show me he’s serious about me and the life we could create together.

Even if it means I’m the one who ends up with a broken heart, I agree. I’m hopeless against him.

Being with him makes me feel alive, and for the first time in a really long time, I can say that I’m happy. The feeling is foreign to me, that it makes me even more scared of losing it.

Then Atlas tells me he has a stalker. Someone who’s been following him around for months, and now I’m terrified of losing him in more ways than one.

Promised Chance is book 4 of the Promises, Promises series set in a small town with meddling neighbors and a tight-knit community of friends and family. It can be read standalone, but is better read in a series. This book features age gap, grumpy/sunshine, hurt/comfort, and a skittish black cat.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/247895261-promised-chance

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Atlas thought this move to Kither Springs was going to be great. Until he arrived and found out his boyfriend was a cheater and a liar. Fleeing the scene, he ends up at The Diner where he meets the keeps to himself owner, Hector. Hector lends a listening ear and even a place to stay. Now months later, Atlas is way happier and that has a lot to do with Hector. His crush has evolved into so much more and no matter how bold he is, Hector won’t make a move. But Atlas is patient and sees how Hector looks at him. He knows this man is meant for him and if given a chance he can show them just how good for one another they could be. But there is one problem, Atlas has a stalker. Hector finds himself as a bit of an outcast in his own home. Though it comes down to no one bothering to get any truths from him. So he does his best to keep to himself. Which becomes impossible with the ray of sunshine that is Hector coming into his life. He never imagined someone like Atlas caring for him. And his feelings only grow stronger. There are a lot of reasons why they shouldn’t be together, but Atlas has a way of making Hector forget and more importantly remind him that those aren’t real reasons. And just when he gives them a chance, Hector learns that someone is stalking Atlas. Hector will do whatever he can to make Atlas feel safe. Loved these two! They were utterly adorable together. Atlas truly is a ray of sunshine and Hector is just this big teddy bear. They complimented one another so well. I loved how Atlas never let anyone talk bad about Hector and was quick to set them straight. Even when Hector was hard on himself. And I loved that Hector was such a safe space for Atlas and had such a huge heart. These two were just so sweet! If this was the end of this series, it was a perfect way to go!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.